DAY 1 - Arrive in Quito.
Assistance and transfer from the airport to the hotel Dann Carlton or similar in Quito. Dinner and accommodations at the hotel.

DAY 2 - Otavalo Indian Market & Hacienda Pinsaqui
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, travel north, via the Panamerican Highway, to the Province of Imbabura. This province is one of the most popular destinations in Ecuador, a magical land of lakes, snow-covered mountains and terraced farmlands. Here is the town of Otavalo, with its famous Indian market that dates back to pre-Inca times and is known for its textiles woven on back-strap and shuttle looms, and its fine handicrafts. For centuries, regional markets have played an important role in Indian life, providing regular gathering places for trade and socializing. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets.

The tour is a feast of brilliant scenery and artisan villages, like Calderón, a small town where bread dough figurines are made in many shapes and sizes. Continue along the Valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and rose plantations. Visit the market of Otavalo, piled high with ponchos, woolen goods, tapestries, the original "Panama" hat, sweaters, Indian jewelry and many handicrafts. Enjoy lunch at a country inn of the area.

In the afternoon, visit the town of Cotacachi, filled with shops of leather goods; San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for the woodcarvings; and the town of Peguche, where textiles are woven in old-fashioned shuttle looms. Overnight and dinner will be at the historic Hacienda Pinsaquí.

DAY 3 - Hacienda La Compañía /Hacienda La Cienega
Enjoy a succulent breakfast at Hacienda Pinsaquí and travel to Hacienda La Compañía, where lunch, including soft drinks, will be served. This farm once belonged to the Jesuit order "La Compañía de Jesús." It preserves its original architecture of the 18th century.

Travel southward, along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Hacienda La Ciénega. Enjoy dinner and overnight accommodations at the cozy Hacienda La Ciénega. Located near the foot of Majestic Cotopaxi Volcano, the Hacienda offers guests a unique experience of residing within the walls of a live museum of great charm and elegance. For centuries, La Ciénega has witnessed many important events in the history of Ecuador.

DAY 4 - Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, visit the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of over 88,000 acres (36,000 hectares) surrounding the highest active volcano in the world. This park is especially attractive to nature lovers, with its treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo. Bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and, with some luck, the Andean condor. Lunch will be served at one of the Hosterías of the area. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda La Ciénega. Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is not included.

DAY 5 - Indian Market & Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijon
After breakfast at La Cienega, visit one of the colorful Indian Markets of the area (there is one for each day of the week). Here the native dresses of men and women, the fresh produce piled in neat rows, the bluest of skies and the brightly colored designs of hand-woven woolen sweaters make these markets not only beautiful, but also uniquely colorful. Renowned since pre-Columbian times, Indian markets have changed very little over 500 years. Each plaza has its distinctive products: livestock, esteras (straw mats) and sugar cane cakes, food and toys, weavings of wool and hemp fiber, clay-pot pans and herbs, fruits, grains and cereals. Vendors sit under pieces of cloth extended over fragile wooden structures. There are also abundant vendors of ribbons, medicines, prepared food and of course, fortune tellers. The barter system at the markets continues on into the third millennium. Lunch will be served at Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijon, featuring organic cereals and vegetables cultivated at the Hacienda. Return to Quito in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodations at the hotel Dann Carlton.

DAY 6
Transfer to the airport for departure.